Chapter 57: Reclaiming the Declining Body Pill, Regardless of Life or Death!

Damn it, this auctioneer is too greedy!
Now that Kenji Aso has left, who else can possibly compete?
It has already reached a sky-high price of 990 million, and he's still not satisfied?
The guests couldn't help but curse and mutter.

In fact, the auctioneer knew very well that this price was the absolute limit, but the required procedure still had to be completed.
After waiting another few seconds, the auctioneer called out.
"990 million going once! 990 million going twice! 990 million going three times! Sold!"
"Congratulations to guest number 6 for winning this Three Kingdoms period porcelain vase with a bid of 990 million! Let us give a round of applause of congratulations!"
"Clap, clap, clap"—a thunderous wave of applause erupted across the hall!

This wasn't really because the guests were happy for Jiang Jin; rather, they were utterly terrified by his extravagant display of wealth.
At this point, they simply had to show respect to Jiang Jin. Once the auction ended, going up to network with him would secure a powerful personal connection!
"Tsk tsk, I had no idea you were so wealthy!"
Yu Shishi snapped back to reality, letting out gasps of admiration.

Her own family was considered rich, right? But even they couldn't just casually pull out 1 billion in cash.
Look at Jiang Jin instead: to win a single piece of antiquity, he casually threw out nearly 1 billion. What an absolute divine tycoon!
Jiang Jin smiled slightly, a hint of playful amusement flashing in his eyes: "This is what they call true wealth hiding in plain sight."
Yu Shishi teased him, "True wealth hiding in plain sight, my foot! You're so narcissistic, do your parents even know?"

Just then, Wei Guang emerged from the backstage area, walked up to Jiang Jin, and said respectfully,
"Sir, that porcelain vase has already been brought to the back. Would you prefer to take it now, or wait until the auction concludes?"
Jiang Jin smiled faintly, a gleam of sharp insight flashing through his gaze: "Manager Wei, are you afraid I'll back out?"
Yu Shishi chimed in from the side, "I think so too."

Normally, after winning an auction lot, everyone waited until the entire event concluded to make unified payments and collect their items.
Wei Guang had rushed over in such an impatient manner simply because he was afraid Jiang Jin might suddenly change his mind.
After all, with a final transaction value of 990 million, this single deal would probably keep the Baishui City Deja Auction House well-fed for an entire quarter.

Wei Guang hurriedly waved his hands in denial, "No, absolutely not! I simply figured that since you spent a sky-high price to acquire it, you'd undoubtedly be eager to hold it and examine it up close. If you're not in a rush, of course, waiting until the auction ends is completely fine as well."
A corner of Jiang Jin's mouth curved into an approving smile: "Fair enough, your reasoning holds up. Alright then, I'll go settle the payment and collect the item."
"I'm coming too!"
Yu Shishi sprang up instantly. She was burning with impatience to see what the medicinal pill inside that porcelain vase actually looked like!

Outside the hotel, inside the cabin of the GT-R.
The atmosphere inside the car was heavy. Kato furrowed his brows deeply as he looked at Aso seated beside him, and spoke up: "Young Master, do you really intend to just let this matter go?"
Aso cast a cold glance at Kato, questioning him with a hostile tone: "Are you blaming me for failing to get the job done?"
Kato's heart tightened. He hurriedly lowered his head and answered with trembling apprehension: "This subordinate wouldn't dare! It's just that since we failed to secure the Rejuvenation Pill, the President is bound to be furious when he finds out."

Aso remained silent for a moment, then the corners of his mouth lifted slightly into a cunning, sly smile, and he slowly spoke: "Of course I know! I'm simply letting Jiang Jin keep it in custody for the time being."
Hearing this, a trace of confusion flashed across Kato's eyes, and he asked hesitantly, "You mean..."
"Kato, you are the most loyal warrior of the Aso Financial Group, aren't you?"
Kenji Aso asked, placing a hand on Teru Kato's shoulder.

Kato rested both hands on his knees, straightened his back, and replied: "Of course! I, Kato, will forever remain loyal to the Aso Financial Group!"
Aso nodded with satisfaction and continued: "Very well! Tonight, I have a race scheduled with Jiang Jin at Mount Nameless, and he will definitely show up."
Pausing for a second, Aso's gaze turned fierce as he pressed on: "And I need you to intercept him along the route, take back the Rejuvenation Pill, and leave no survivors—dead or alive!"
Kato's eyes flared with bright light, his fighting spirit surging to a boiling point!

In the backstage lounge of the banquet hall, after Jiang Jin successfully swiped his card for 990 million, Wei Guang handed the porcelain vase over to Jiang Jin with the utmost reverence.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. The side quest 'Snatching the Prize' has been completed. Task rewards are being distributed...]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a cash reward of 990 million national currency.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. The T2000 Carbon Fiber Series Task (Part 3) has been completed. Task rewards are being distributed...]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a T2000-grade carbon fiber production rate of 10t/24h, 1 million system points, and successfully unlocked the Photolithography Machine Series Tasks.]
[Ding! Host, you have a new task available.]
[Task: T2000 Carbon Fiber Series Task (Part 4)]
[Task Objective: Accumulate a total consumption of 10 billion national currency.]
[Task Reward: Upgrade the T2000-grade carbon fiber production rate to 100t/24h, and 10 million system points.]
[Task: Photolithography Machine Series Task (Part 1)]
[Task Objective: Accumulate a total consumption of 1 billion national currency.]
[Task Reward: One 7nm EUV photolithography machine, one 7nm EUV photolithography machine production line (2 units/year).]
[In addition to these tasks, the X-Alloy Series Task (Part 3) and Carbon Fiber Series Task (Part 4) are also available.]
[Choose one task out of four. Abandoned tasks will refresh at a later time. Please make your selection within 10 seconds.]

A rapid succession of system notification tones rang out. Without a moment's hesitation, Jiang Jin chose the Photolithography Machine Series Task.
A 7nm EUV photolithography machine was something that only a single company in the entire world could manufacture!
As long as Jiang Jin completed this task, he could break the monopoly and boost the morale of the entire nation!
Such a monumental feat was something Jiang Jin was desperately eager to achieve!

Without spending a single penny, he had not only completed the task but also won a porcelain vase from the Three Kingdoms period. The Supernova Technology System was truly formidable!
With a silent sigh of admiration, Jiang Jin exited the system.
At that moment, Yu Shishi urged him impatiently from the side:
"Hurry up and open it to see what the pill inside looks like!"

Even Wei Guang and the staff of the Deja Auction House wore expressions of intense yearning; they too wanted to see what was so special about an item bought at the astronomical price of nearly 1 billion.
Actually, Jiang Jin was also quite eager to open it and take a look right now, considering the heavy price he paid for it.
It felt just like unwrapping a package after shopping online—most people would want to tear it open right away.
"It's just that this thing has been preserved for over 1,700 years. Once the seal is broken, will it instantly turn into powder?"
"Let me consult an expert later to see if it needs to be opened in a specialized environment," Jiang Jin said, placing the porcelain vase into his jacket pocket.
A wave of disappointed sighs echoed around the room.

Yu Shishi suddenly had a realization, followed by a compliment:
"I never took you for someone who handles things so cautiously!"
Jiang Jin rolled his eyes at her and retorted flatly, "Did you think everyone was as careless and scatterbrained as you?"
Hearing this, Yu Shishi refused to back down. She placed her hands on her hips and countered, "What I am is forthright and genuine!"
Jiang Jin teased, "Right, right, right, you're the most forthright of all!"
Yu Shishi felt like Jiang Jin was insulting her, but she had no evidence!

Watching the two of them bicker, the staff of the Deja Auction House felt as though they had been force-fed a mouthful of dog food.
Jiang Jin stopped teasing Yu Shishi and changed the subject, making a serious proposal: "Alright, I'm not interested in the subsequent auction items anyway. Why don't we head to Mount Nameless right now?"
Yu Shishi clapped her hands in excited agreement: "Yes, let's go! I can't wait to see you defeat that Eastern islander!"

Although Wei Guang was reluctant to see this god of wealth leave, he could only respectfully watch the two depart through the back exit.
Half an hour later, the Bugatti Veyron exited the highway and turned onto a narrow road.
This minor road was the only route leading to Mount Nameless. Usually, traffic here was sparse, and given that it was already past 9 PM, not a single vehicle could be seen ahead or behind.

After driving down the narrow road for a few minutes, Jiang Jin suddenly spotted a large tree lying horizontally across the pavement several dozen meters ahead, completely blocking the way forward.
With forests flanking both sides of the road, Jiang Jin had nowhere to swerve or evade.
"Screech!" A harsh screech of brakes rang out as the Bugatti Veyron managed to halt a mere five meters short of the fallen tree.